biographie de Paul Jean MARTEL (1879-1944)

Birth place: Belgium

Profession: Painter

Studied: Kunstacademie Brussels, 1895-1900 (with J.Stallaert); PAFA (with Anshutz).

Exhibited: Galerie Artis, Brussels, 1919; Salle Aeolien, Brussels, 1922 (solo); S. Indp. A., 1924; AIC, 1930.

Work: State of Belgium (still life "Chrysanten").

Comments: Emigrated with his family to the US in 1889. He went to Belgium to study art, and returned to Philadephia upon the completion of his studies. After his marriage in 1911 he returned to Europe and visited Paris, London and Brussels. Surprised by the outbreak of WW1, he settled in Belgium and stayed until 1923, when he returned to Philadelphia. Specialty: portaits, landscapes, and still lifes in a postimpressionist style.

Sources: Falk, AIC; add'l info courtesy of Norbert Hostyn, Stedelijke Museum, Oostende (Belgium).